December 20

This weekend another chapter of life closes. It's been an amazing experience. You will all be glad to know that I've passed my course and been moved up a level to B1, which I'm sure means nothing to you unless you know the rating system. But it is an accomplishment I am proud of. More importantly though, God has added to me precious people, shown me more of Himself, and deepened a call that He is still revealing to me. It is an odd feeling to be drawn to a people and a place and so natural all at the same time. I have so many questions still and am so confident of God's leading.

Please pray for me:

that during my time at home I will be able to effectively continue my French studies.

for God's continued provision through people's generous support.

that God will reveal more of His plan for me. In particular, what I should do at the end of my school term in June.

that I will know my Father better each day.

So, this is it for a while from France. The blogs for the next 2 months will be from good ole Russellville, AR.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!
Joyeux Noel!!


**The pic is of me and Hannah at her fancy birthday dinner at Le Ciel de Paris. It's at the top of a 50 story building overlooking beautiful Paris. She got us all dressed up and we had a great time. Thanks to her dad for providing for such a wonderful experience.

December 2

Happy Thanksgiving, a little late. We had a great Thanksgiving feast here the Wednesday before. Here are a couple pics from that day. I hope everyone enjoyed family and friends. We did the traditional giving of thanks around the table, international style. It was wonderful.

(Pics: Lauren and me; Deborah, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Katie; table decorations by Katie)

The big news, if you haven't gotten the newsletter, is that I will be home for Christmas. I am very excited about this. It will be good to be home. I love it in France. I know this is where God has me. I also see my need to be restored. So, I will be home for 2 months and return to France at the end of February and attend Les Cédres until the end of June. I will continue to study while at home with the help of books and friends to keep me up on assignments and the ever generous help of Mme. Freeman.

My friend, Amy Coonagh, came to visit this past weekend. We know each other from when we did our DNA year in England 10 years ago. We had a great time. It's always so encouraging for me to see the ease and goodness of the God-connection. We had a time of worship on Friday night. It was so refreshing. Something I really needed.

It was my day to give the meditation or devotion for our class chapel yesterday. It was my first "message" in French. I shared about our complete dependence on God. So many times we know what to do and we just move along without really paying attention, and then... God is faithful to remind us of our need for Him. I mean isn't it nice to just get on and do what needs doing. Isn't it nice to be strong and independent. hmm... But the truth is He is our source in all things. And we will always run out of strength, energy, resources at some point. The good news is "ma grâce te suffit," "my grace is sufficient for you." Isn't it good to know that we have an unlimited source to plug into!? It's not always fun or comfortable, but God is dependable and life giving. Merci, Dieu. So, I encourage you, if like me you're at the end of you and all your resources, trust in God for He loves you. He is faithful. And His grace is sufficient. And then there's the whole life abundant thing, but that's another topic...